After going 2-1 at the California Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers are in Las Vegas to compete in the (very confusingly titled) 2022 NBA 2K23 Summer League.

At the Chase Center, the Lakers walloped the Miami Heat, 100-66, then the Golden State Warriors, 100-77. On Tuesday, they were bested by the Sacramento Kings, 87-75.

Here's their Vegas schedule (PT)…

  • vs. Suns — July 8, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
  • vs Hornets— July 10, 6:30 p.m. (NBATV)
  • vs. Clippers — July 12, 8 p.m. (NBATV)
  • vs. Pelicans — July 15, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

…And the roster. Mac McClung, the G-League Rookie of the Year, is now on the Warriors.

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Here are 5 reasons Lakers fans should be hyped

5) Handy coaching Darvin Ham's system

First and foremost, it's entertaining to watch Handy lead this group. Handy is a lauded development guru and popular figure with stated aspirations of running an NBA team. Seeing him garner a competitive spirit out of the youngsters has already been fun.

Handy is implementing Ham's incoming 4-in, 1-out system. How the Lakers run their offense will provide a glimpse of what to expect from the pros.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ro22xdgu5pP0Wmmxbc9nt?si=6b5a66aca2db4d90

The scouting department's recent track record of finding uncut gems is a bonus, perhaps overarching, reason for Lakers fans to care about Summer League.

4) Two sons of legends

Shareef O'Neal, son of Shaquille, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are suiting up. O'Neal — an 6'10 athlete and raw talent who admitted his dad wanted him to stay in school — hasn't seen less than 10 minutes of run and is a longshot to make the roster.

Pippen Jr., however, could be another shrewd discovery. The 6'1 guard (on a two-way deal) has displayed natural pace, playmaking skills, and a deep (if reckless) bag. He's got no-look passes, stingy one-on-one defense (a 6'6 wingspan helps), clever handles, and blistering speed. He plays (and talks) with confidence.

He's struggled with his shooting (34.5% FG). but averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 21.7 minutes in the Classic. The Lakers want to play fast. Pippen Jr. always does. He's exciting to watch and a legitimate two-way guy, even if his defensive fundamentals need polishing.

 

3) Jay Huff's stretch-5 game

On Sunday, Huff described his game with a perfect elevator pitch: “I shoot threes, I catch lobs, and I block shots.”

Huff, who spent 2021-22 on a two-way deal, swatted or altered seemingly every paint attack in his two games at Chase. He can sink pick-and-pop treys and attack the rim with unexpected verticality.

Los Angeles may no longer need a stretch-5 with Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones (kind of) on board, but Huff is an intriguing piece.

2) Cole Swider's sweet stroke

Swider can shoot the rock. Now. In any league.

“He is a bona fide shooter,” Handy said…”When you got size like that and you come into the league and shoot? He's definitely got a spot in the NBA.”

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Rob Pelinka labeled Swider a “movement shooter,” referencing his ability to catch and fire in motion. Swider embodied that description in San Francisco.

The 6'9 forward — who made 38.1% percent of his 3s at Syracuse — drilled 60% of his triples at the Classic, many difficult looks off screens and off-balance. He never stops moving and relocating.

Swider, on a two-way deal, has an opportunity to contribute to the Lakers in 2022-23 considering the team's need for wing length and sniping…if he can hang on D.

1) Max Christie's development

The No. 35 overall pick validated many of his pre-draft prognostications at the California Classic. His lateral quickness and matchup defense were stout. His jumper looks smooth as silk but isn't falling, yet (14.3% from 3) — as was the case at Michigan State. He has an advanced understanding of spatial awareness and how to move around the court: when to cut through gaps, space, seek floaters, chase offensive rebounds, etc. The Lakers are looking for those types of in-between contributions.

He has a knack for jumping passing lanes and wreaking general havoc. Handy has compared him to Doug Christie, and not because of their last names.

For all his offensive rawness, Christie's passing and rebounding were encouraging. The 19-year-old whipped off-the-bounce cross-court dimes (including with his left hand) and pulled down 7.7 rebounds per game. A high-IQ, high-effort player.

At the risk of drawing outsized conclusions, it's hard to imagine that Christie doesn't grow into, at the very least, an above-average defender once he adds weight. Whether he can contribute next season is a fascinating storyline.